"Turpan in the north, Fu'an in Fujian in the south." With its unique geographical conditions, Fu'an produces high-quality commercial grapes and is hailed as the "Hometown of Southern Grapes," becoming an important grape-producing region in southern China. It is reported that the current grape planting area in Fu'an covers 50,000 mu, with an output of 56,000 tons and an annual output value of 460 million yuan. The yield and...
The uniquely styled Guanpu oil paper fan can be called “a unique wonder of China.” Its production generally involves five steps: first, selecting materials—choosing evenly shaped bamboo strips and cutting them according to the fan’s diameter; second, making the fan ribs—first “splitting the strands,” then “peeling the white” to leave the green, threading a bamboo strip to form the “rib,” and connecting the ends of the green strands with fine thread to create the rib structure; third, mounting the paper; fourth…
Glutinous rice zongzi are a favorite among the She ethnic group. In addition to bamboo leaf zongzi wrapped in bamboo leaves, there are also bamboo shell zongzi wrapped in moso bamboo shoot husks or basket bamboo shoot husks; pole zongzi tied into triangular or stick shapes with thatch leaves; and palm leaf zongzi made by weaving palm leaves into bags and filling them with glutinous rice. Because the zongzi are wrapped in different materials, each has its own unique flavor...
Black glutinous rice is celebrated by She ethnic communities across regions. On this festival day, every household cooks black glutinous rice to honor their ancestors, then enjoys a family meal together and shares the rice with relatives and friends. There is a widely circulated legend behind the tradition of eating black rice on the third day of the third lunar month: the hero Lei Wanxing (or, in some versions, Lan Tianfeng) was captured by government forces. To ensure he had food in prison, the villagers dyed the rice black. The jailers, thinking the rice was dirty and resembling mountain ants, dared not take it, thus saving Lei Wanxing’s life. After his release, on the third day of the third lunar month, he led the people back down the mountain, and after achieving victory, they cooked black glutinous rice to celebrate.
Reed leaf (themeda) zongzi is a specialty food of the She ethnic group. It is made by wrapping glutinous rice soaked in yellow alkaline water for several hours with reed leaves, then boiling it until cooked. The zongzi is rectangular, about 20 centimeters long. Once cooked, the reed leaf zongzi turns a light yellow color, with a texture that is both sticky and not overly mushy. If a small amount of peas or golden beans, sheep’s beard beans, or other “bean zongzi” varieties are mixed into the glutinous rice,…
A Palmful of Snow is a drama written by Li Yu. The story is set during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, where Yan Shifan demands the ancestral jade cup "A Palmful of Snow" from Mo HuaiGu. Mo HuaiGu devises multiple plans to protect the treasured jade cup, but all are discovered. In the end, Mo HuaiGu’s son, Mo Hao, risks his life to clear his father’s name and restore justice. The “A Palmful of Snow” jade cup is a rare piece of Ming Dynasty jade art…
In Pingnan County (Ningde City, Fujian Province), known as the hometown of the mandarin duck, there are many local delicacies with distinctive regional flavors, and "Mandarin Duck Noodles" is one of them. Commonly known as "Bitter Gourd Seed Noodles," these noodles have an amber color and a smooth, elastic texture. To prepare them, dried bitter gourd seeds are boiled in hot water, then soaked and rinsed in clean water...
These are specially made dried tofu slices that are soft yet tough, thoroughly dried over a long fire, and can be stored for a long time without spoiling. When sold, they are shaved into long, thin strips as delicate as cicada wings. They can be cooked in various ways, suitable for both meat and vegetable dishes, and have a soft, savory, and slightly salty taste. …
Made with rice batter, oysters, scallions, and more. A small amount of rice batter is poured into a shallow, round scoop, thinly covering the bottom. Then, an appropriate amount of oysters and scallions are added as filling, followed by another layer of rice batter to seal it. Once fried to a golden yellow, it’s ready to eat. …
The geographical indication certification trademark of Pingnan Rice-Braised Rabbit has been approved for registration, marking the first such trademark in Pingnan County. This achievement elevates this rustic countryside delicacy to a more refined status and ushers in a new chapter for its industry development. A Century-Old Tradition Unrecognized – Rice-Braised Rabbit is a traditional...
“Pingnan Old Wine” refers to a type of yellow wine produced in Pingnan County, Fujian Province. This wine is made from the area’s unique mountain spring water, high-quality glutinous rice, and red yeast using traditional techniques combined with modern processes. It boasts a rich, mellow aroma, a sweet and refreshing taste, crystal-clear appearance, and leaves no dryness in the mouth. As a member of the yellow wine category, Pingnan Old Wine aligns with international drinking trends...
Chestnuts, also known as cone chestnuts or pearl chestnuts, have fruits enclosed in spiky burrs like regular chestnuts. Each burr contains a single nut that is round at the base and pointed at the top, resembling a cone. They are primarily produced in Jinlin Village, Pingnan Town, Longquan, hence the name “Pingnan chestnuts.” Rich in protein, they also contain carotene, ascorbic acid, as well as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients, making them a tonic for the elderly and those in weak health…
Made by mixing boiled small taro from Gutian with potato starch to form a dough, which is then shaped into round strips using a “sweet potato cutter” and boiled in a pot of boiling broth while being sliced. Mixed with seasonings such as oysters and celery, it becomes a uniquely colored and flavorful dish. It is the “Joyful Noodles” enjoyed when gathering with friends in Gutian. …
Mandarin Duck Fruit In Pingnan County, known as the hometown of the Mandarin Duck, there is a type of acorn flour called Mandarin Duck Fruit. It is made from the fruit of a shrub locally known as "bitter spine," commonly referred to as "dried bitter spine." Producing Mandarin Duck Fruit involves at least a dozen meticulous steps. Except for grinding the pulp, which can be done with an electric mill, all other processes are done by hand. After going through these dozen or so steps...
In Pingnan, no matter which household you visit, the hospitable hosts will surely prepare a pot of yellow wine for their guests. If the guest is from out of town, the host will proudly introduce it: “This is our home-brewed aged wine. Visitors from afar must give it a try — only then will your trip to Pingnan be complete…”
Villages such as Zheyang, Getou, and Siping in Pingnan County are renowned as the “Hometown of Pitless Persimmons.” Every golden autumn, persimmon traders flock to these areas, competing to purchase the fruit. As an important part of the household economy, pitless persimmon cultivation has long brought substantial income to farmers in these villages. Persimmons have been traditionally cultivated in Pingnan County...
The Fujian specialty snack "Tudong jelly" may look like plain water congealed into a tasteless gel, but it’s surprisingly delicious once you try it. Coastal regions each have their own take on the texture of "Tudong jelly," but many food connoisseurs believe that the version made along the coast near Xiabai Shi in Fu’an, eastern Fujian, is the best. Every year after the autumn harvest, when the tides recede…
In winter, when mudskippers are at their plumpest and least fishy, the coastal areas of Fu’an—such as Wanwu, Xiwěi, and Xiabáishí—welcome the mudskipper harvest season. Mudskippers, commonly known as jumping fish, leaping gobies, or mud monkeys, get their name from their remarkable jumping ability. As amphibious fish, they often rely on their pectoral fins to…
Mandarin Duck Noodles are a local specialty of Pingnan, a mountainous city. With an amber hue, smooth texture, and elasticity, they are not only a beloved local delicacy but also a highly regarded medicinal dish, winning widespread popularity among food enthusiasts. Their fame has grown alongside the increasing influence of the Yuanyang Stream and Baishuiyang Scenic Area. Mandarin Duck Noodles are like the star performers on stage...
Pingnan has a dish called loach buns — crispy, savory loach buns with a truly unique flavor. Loaches are small, scaleless fish commonly found in the rice paddies of Pingnan. The largest ones are no thicker than an adult’s thumb and rarely grow longer than ten centimeters. Originally, wild loaches were abundant in the rice fields, and farmers would often scoop up quite a few while plowing and tilling the land. They then...